THE Duchess of Cambridge showed her support for London 2012 yesterday by wearing an Olympic-themed necklace.
Kate stepped out for a viewing of Team GB and Paralympics GB athlete portraits in the jewellery which features five rings - the symbol of the global sporting event.
Her large gold-coloured chain had a ring on each shoulder, another further down on each side and a large hoop at the bottom.
She completed her Olympic look with a blue crepe dress by Stella McCartney, who has designed a range of clothing the athletes will wear when competing, training and relaxing.
London's National Portrait Gallery was the venue for the exhibition, Road To 2012: Aiming High, the third and final instalment of a three-year project that has showcased world-class Olympic and Paralympic athletes and those working behind the scenes.
Last year the Changing Pace exhibition was staged and in 2010 Setting Out was the name of the inaugural event.
Among those photographed for the exhibition are the men's rowing eight, taekwondo fighter Jade Jones, London Mayor Boris Johnson and Turner Prize-winning artist Anish Kapoor, who co-created the ArcelorMittal Orbit sculptor at the Olympic Park.
A St James' Palace spokesman said of the necklace: 'It's a personal piece which she's had for some time. It's not an official Olympic item but it's appropriate to wear it.'
Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, the UK's most successful Paralympian and an ambassador for the London 2012 bid team, made a speech during the event.
She told guests: 'For me the Olympics have been a part of my life actually since '84 when I watched Seb Coe win, and that was one of the moments that inspired me to take part in sport.
'For everybody involved in 2012 it's been a huge deal and what I'm particularly proud of is what happened to the Paralympic movement.'
CAPTION(S):
* The Duchess of Cambridge talks to photographer Nadav Kandar, right, and 100-year-old portrait sitter Diana Gould during her visit to the Road to 2012 exhibition
